Sefwi Chirano paramount chief urges youth to shun hard drugs

Okogyeaman Kwaku Gyeaprah III, Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Chirano Traditional Area, has urged young people to avoid alcohol and hard drugs, including marijuana, tramadol, and “red.

He also warned that substance abuse undermines health, education, and social progress.

He appealed the 2025 Elluo Festival durbar held at Bibiani International Park under the theme “Our Heritage, Our People, Our Development.”

Okogyeaman Gyeaprah, who also serves as Vice‑President of the Western North Regional House of Chiefs and as board chairman of Metro Mass Transit, cautioned that peer pressure may lead some youths to experiment with drugs but stressed that the consequences are severe for physical growth, emotional stability, and educational attainment.

He praised the rich cultural display at the festival and contributed GH₵5,000 to support the newly launched Ogyeahoho Education Fund.

Dr Daniel McKorley, the special guest of honour, pledged significant support to local development initiatives.

He committed an interest‑free loan package of GH₵2 million to help women in the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area expand their businesses and also promised scholarship support for 10 brilliant but needy students in the municipality.

Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, officially launched the Ogyeahoho Education Fund at the festival with a seed allocation of GH₵500,000 aimed at supporting bright but needy students to access tertiary education.

In addition, the Ogyeahoho pledged GH₵200,000 and donated 20 desktop computers to establish a modern ICT laboratory to equip students with digital skills.

“Our heritage is our identity. We owe it as a duty to protect and preserve our uniqueness,” Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II said, emphasising unity and the need to safeguard Ghanaian culture and values for future generations.

Awulea Agyefi Kwame II, Paramount Chief of Nseim Traditional Area and chairman of the occasion, urged chiefs to partner closely with the government in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), reminding custodians of the land of their duty to protect the environment and reject short‑term gains that harm future generations.

The Elluo Festival drew thousands of celebrants and cultural enthusiasts from across the country and beyond.

Dignitaries in attendance included Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government and Religious Affairs; Wilbert Petty Brentum, Western North Regional Minister; Bright Asamoah Brefo, MP for Bibiani‑Anhwiaso‑Bekwai; Afful Benteh Kofi, MP for Sefwi Wiawso; and municipal chief executives for Bibiani and Sefwi Wiawso.

The event combined cultural celebration with concrete development commitments from capital and scholarships to ICT infrastructure and women’s enterprise support, signaling a push to translate festival solidarity into lasting social and economic impact across the municipality.